Her proposal would have complemented a 30-year law against smoking cigarettes in airline cabins as a health risk, and a ban against stowing electronic cigarettes in checked baggage because of fire concerns. Airlines already tend to prohibit vaping during flights.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee narrowly supported Norton's proposal on a 30-29 vote. She had won a similar vote last year in the committee, but her provision didn’t become law.

Norton said Tuesday that regulations could change as electronic cigarettes become more popular, so Congress should act.

“It is necessary to update our laws to reflect this new nuisance,” Norton said. “Congress should institute a permanent statutory ban on the use of electronic cigarettes on planes, particularly considering the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes.”